tops

This is a discussion on tops within the Beginner Saltwater Aquariums forums, part of the Saltwater Fish and Coral Reef Tanks category; -->
I'm guessing a top is not a nessary thing in less you have jumping fish. The reason I'm asking is I'm looking into putting ...

I'm guessing a top is not a nessary thing in less you have jumping fish. The reason I'm asking is I'm looking into putting a new light system. The light will cover all but the very front of the tank which is bowed. Or do I need to make a new glass top????????

a glass top would have to be cut by a glass cuter unless you have a diamond blade saw. plexi glass is a easier alternative, except if you have high power lighting (like for coral) im not sure what this would do to the plexi glass. tops are important for jumping fish as well as evaporation. not having a top looks super cool but you have to top off the water almost everyday or every other day. this could be bad for a salt water tank because water will evaporate and the salinity levels of the tank will rise. not only will your water evaporate at a faster level without a top you risk any debris falling into the tank. finally, not having a top and having a faster rate of evaporation, water will evaporate and condense inside your light fixture (im sure this isnt an immediate threat) and im sure over time will damage your lights.

well if your wife works at a glass shop i have a tank that could use a top, why didnt you say so in the first post? kidding ofcourse but it sounds like your all set then because im sure she can get it for free or fairly cheap just make sure to give her the right specs and your good to go, maybe you can somehow fix a hinge to it or a handle to make feeding and getting into the tank a breeze let me know how you decided to do it and how it goes. goodluck!

Tops are over-rated. They get salty, and dirty, and block the light. Of course the male from my pair of Firefish sure wished I had one. I believe his final thoughts were "well that wasn't such a good idea!"

Anyways, there are benefits and drawbacks to either way. Increased evap also helps to cool the water.

I have 2 reef systems, both with sumps, neither have tops. the 29g loses 1-2 quarts a day to evap, the 55 loses 3-6 qts (depending on the season, dry heat in the winter months tends to cause the most evap)